CHED 1198 |
| Photochemistry, or the study of molecular interactions with light, is particularly useful with supramolecules. Supramolecules undergo photoinduced electron transfer which allows a charge to move through the system when excited by light. Fullerenes, or carbon-60 molecules, are especially suited for this study because of their capability of absorbing visible light which can be used in molecular wires, light emitting diodes and solar cells. Using fullerenes and other synthesized ligands as the “building blocks,” these supramolecules, to be used in photoelectric applications, can be created. The objective of this research is to expand the possibilities of the current fullerene project by developing and refining two new syntheses. The syntheses involve creating a hub molecule with which to link the other molecular groups, thus creating the supramolecule. Another application of the supramolecular concept is to create a molecular wire subunit which will transfer electrons over a highly conjugated organic polymer. This unit will wrap around a metal center thus bringing the metal directly in line with the conjugated polymer backbone creating a macromolecule, a polymer incorporating metals for the purpose of transferring energy. This project first requires the synthesis of a series of ligands followed by the incorporation of the transition metal. Currently, new synthetic steps are being developed to create this system in greater yield. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Inorganic Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |